gottschalk



. GOTTSCHALK. FIRE EXTINGUISHINGAPPAHATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.26.19I0.

Patented Nov. 18, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l..

1.x. GOTTSCHALK. FIRE EXTINGUiSHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.26.1918.

1,32 1,820. 1 Patented Nov. 18, 1919.

'3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

fifty@ M i7@ (/ivy/ L. J. GOTTSCHALK.

FIRE EXHNGUASHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION EILED 020.25.1918.

v 9 7% NJ.. ...wg A. 1, 13 AH OWU E 1J .Ww am .Nm 1M dH H 11.. AA Lw .w D@ J v LIONEL i. eorrsenaLK, or THE/unirsi) sfrn'riisiinvr.

FIRE-nx'riiveursnnve APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented NOV. 18, 1919.

Application nieu nebenher ze; 191s.; serial no. 265,294.

17 b (LU 'who/m, 'it may concern y i Be it known that l, LioiviiL J. Go'r'rsci-innk, alieutenant in the United Sta-tes Navy, at present stationed at Little Rock, in the county lof Pulaski, State of Arkansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Extinguishing Apparatus; and l do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to lire extinguishing apparatus and while it is particularly adapted for use in connection with sprinkler systems wherein fusing of a sprinkler head will automatically effect a flow and discharge of lire extinguishing liquid and gas; yet, my apparatus in 'its broader aspect is in no way limited to such use as it `can be readily employed without incorporation in a sprinller system and its operation instituted bymerely opening a valve so associated with the apparatus as to effect the initial discharge of liquid from tliefluidpressuretank. l

More particularly my apparatus embodies ze' tank, capable of withstanding internal pressure, for containing one agency, p`referably liquid, of a chemical extinguisher and a receptacle within said tank for holdin a second chemical agent, preferably an acid, together with means automatically operated under predetermined conditions to p effect commingling of the two chemical agents to produce a lire extinguishing liquid and gas, the latte-r creating pressure within the tank to discharge the contents thereof into a system of connected piping by which it is con* veyed to a desired point of discharge.

The objects of the improved construction embodied in my invention are to assure positiveness and certainty of action upon fusing i Fig l with the tankbroken away to show of a sprinkler head of an associated system or upon effecting an initial discharge of the contents of the liui d pressure tank through the instrumentaliti of any other suitable means; to provide for rapid admixture of the chemical tire extinguishing agents iininediately following the initial discharge of the liquid from the pressure tank, and thereafter to maintain a retarded but continuous admixture as the discharge from the tank continues whereby an availahle supply of one chemical agent is held in reserve until the tank is almost fully discharged so als to render the apparatus operative after the extinguishment of one lire for the purpose of the extinguishment of a second lire, the ai'n rangement of the apparatus being such that stopping the discharge of the tank stops the automatic mixing ofthe chemical agents; to provide against the premature loss of the acid chemical agent through any cause by `maintaining its container normally closed and effecting the opening thereof automatically upon institution of the operation ofthe apparatus; `to provide means, when the appai'atusis used in connection with a sprinkler system, to ell-ect the initial "discharge from the tank as aresult of fusingof a sprinkler head;` and to improve and siniplify the construction and operation of chemically mixing lire entinguishing` apparatus generally.

I will describe my invention in the best form known to me at present, but it will be l understood that it is susceptible to extensive `changes in parts and arrangement and to desirable additions without in any manner de parting from the scope of the claims.

In describing my invention in detail reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts in the several views, and in which- Figure l is' a vertical longitudinal section. of my invention with the parts in normal or inactive position; l

Fig.` 2, a similar viewwith the parts in the position they would occupy immediately after the initial disch arge from the pressure Fig. 3, a similar view shwing the position of the parts when suiiicient liquid has been discharged to effect complete inversion of the acidy container;

F'g. 4, a top view of what is shown in pivotal `means of a Siphon device in the form of an inverted Ushaped pipe .il one arm l0 of `which extends into the. tank A. and termi-` sprinkler system B. The tank A is pro` vided with an upwardly extending reduced dome extension 12 oneJ important purpose Vof which is to provide means for obtaining a Arelatively large decrease in the level of the liquid' extending into the dome as the vresult ofthe discharge of a relatively small amount of liquid from the tank. Suitably fr ixedwithin thedome 12 is a frame 13 which carries on itsisides corresponding depending stirrups 14. Movably mounted within the frame 13 is a vsecond frame 15, the end 16 of which normally pivotally engages a ledge 17 formed on the frame 13. Fixed to the frame 15 is an acid container 18 which is normally held in upright position as shown in Fig.1 by catches 19 engaged under the ztheir first turning movement. 45r

rotatably mounted a shaft 27 having fixed -end of the frame 15 remote from the ledge 17. y These catches 19 are fixed respectively onv shafts 20 journaled in the fra-me 13. Each of the shafts 20` has fixed thereto an arm 21 and these arms support a float 22' the position of which is determined by the level kof the liquid in the dome-12, the normal level of said liquid being such that the float will be elevated to dispose the catches 19 in holding rela-tion to the frame 15, this normal YVliquid levelv is indicated .in Fig.` 1 by the line -m. Carried by the sideportions of the frame 15 yand positionedI ,lwithin the stirrups 14 respectively are pivoting studs 23 the purpose of which will presently appear. The container 18 is provided with a rupturable closure 24 preferably palratlin with which is normally associated. a rup- Vturingl element 25. carried by the dome 12 anddesigned to rupture said closure as the frame 15 and the container 18 partake of Depending from the frame 13 are ears 26 in which is thereto laterally extending parallel arms 28 which support at their free ends afloat 29, the latter being disposed outside the limits of the dome '12 and operable only in the major interior of the tank A. The arms 28 are provided with corresponding toothed portions30 over which one end of the frame 15 is adapted to ride during the operation of the device as will hereinafter appear. To limit unnecessary downward movement of the float 22 upon excessive decrease in level of the liquid I provide a stop 31 on the frame 13 adapted to be engaged by said float when the latter swings downward a predetermined distance.

When the parts are in the position as shown in Fig. 1 with the level of the liquid in the tank at-the line zrit will be obvious that a vclorrepsonding level of the liquid will be present in the arm 10 of the pipe C. To provide for a positive and vertain initial discharge from the tank upon opening one or more valves in the system l I store in the system and the arm 11 ot the pipe C a quantity of liquid whose level in. 'the arm 11 corresponds with the level of the liquid in the arm 10 and the tank A. As a result of thisv arrangement I quickly obtain an initial discharge from the tank upon opening one or more valves in the system as a result of siphonic action as will be obvious. Assuming that this initial discharge takes place the level of the liquid in the dome 12 will shar )ly fall and the iioat 22 will descend and cisengage the catches 1S) from beneath the frame 15 when the latter will pivot on the ledge 17 until the pivot 'mg studs 23 rest upon the bottom limits of stirrups 14: and the end of frame 15 adjacent to the float 22 engages the toothed portions 30 ot' the arms 28 where it will be held by the float 29. Duringl this moreinent of the frame 15 the container 1H also Ymoves with it causing the element 25 to rupture the closure 24 and permit a quick and bountiful discharge of acid from the container. As the level of the liquid in the tank gradually decreases as a result of the pressure discharge now effected by the chemical mixing, the ioat 29 gradually moves downward and permits further gradual turning movement of the frame 15 and container about the new pivotal center at the base of stirrups 14 and further gradual discharge of the acid in the container. During this portion of the operation an available supply of acid always remains in the container so that in the event the lire is extinguished the discharge of the tank ma v Y be cut off and -with the remaining pressure in the tank due to gas generated the apparatus can be utilized at a subsequent time for the extinguishment of a second fire without further refilling or attention. it being obvious that the shutting olf of the lischarge from the tank prevents further tall in the level of the liquid and thereby arrests further mixing of the chemical agents.

lAs the frame 15 pivots on the ledge 17 the studs 23 will eventually engage the bottom of the stirrups. 14C and when this occurs these studs will become the efl'eetive pivot of the frame 15 and the container 18. When the level of the liquid in the tanks falls a further predetermined distance the trame l5 will cease to engage the arms 28 and as a result of the location of the center of gra vity of the frame 15 and tank 18 these connected elements will quickly swing to the. position shown in Fig. 3 to eti'eet completo inversion of the container and complete dis charge of the acid in said container.

I claim:

1. A fire extinguishing apparatus comprising' `a pressure tankhaving a 'fluid outlet, an acid container mounted 'Within the `tank lfor discharge niovement,` and ineans tank.

draival and stoppage` of Withdrawal fluid respectively lrom the tank.

` 2; A fire extinguishing apparatus com` `prising a fluid pressure tank having a fluid outlet; an acid container Within "the tank. means iore'ffecting and arresting discharge of theV contents of' the `container upon With- A fire extinguishing apparatus comprising a fluid pressure tank Ihavihga fluid outlet, an acid `container within `the tank, means for effecting dischargeot the contents of the container upon.withdrawal of lfluid from the tank and for arresting such discharge upon stoppage of' said Withdrawal.

i. A lire extinguishing apparatus com prising a pressure tank having a V'fluid outlet, an acid container mounted within the tank for discharge movement, and float governed means automatically controlling said discharge movement during delivery of fluid from the tank.

5. A fire extinguishing apparatus comprising a fluid pressure tank, an acid container mounted in the tank for movement from upright to inverted position and releasably held in upright position, float gov erned means for releasing the container, and a second float governed means Yfor controlling the movement of the container after release.

6. A fire extinguishing apparatus comprising a fluid pressure tank having a fluid outlet, a support having successively effective pivotal connections with the tank, an acid container carried by thesuppoiit, and means controlled by the fluid in the tank to first permit turning of the support on one pivotal connection and then on the other to discharge the contents of the container.

7. A fire extinguishing apparatus comprising a fluid pressure tank,` a frame fixed Within the tank, a support having successively effective pivotal connections With said frame, an acid container carried by the support, and means controlled by the fluid in the tank to first permit turning of the support on one pivotal connection and then on the other to discharge the contents of the container. c

8. A fire extinguishing apparatus comn prising a fluid pressure tank having a fluid outlet, a frame fixed Within the tank, an acid container having successively ellfective pivotal connections With the frame, and means controlled by the fluid in the tank to permit turning of the container on one pivotal connection and then on the other to discharge the contents of the container.

9. A lire extinguishing apparatus com- -"outlet,v an acid container `Within the fhaving successively effective pivotal prising a fluid pressure tank having "a its contents, and means controlled by the fluid in the tankto first permit turningoi. the containerI on one pivotal support and then on the other.

l0. A fire eatinguishing` apparatus coin- `iiirisinga fluid pressure tank having a fluid outlet, an acid container mounted in the tank `for turning movement from upright to inverted position, and means controlled hy variation `in the level of the fluid in the tank to pei-init precipitate initial and final turning movement foi the container and to malintain the intermediate portion of said turn ing movement gradual. y

1l. A fire extinguishing apparatus coinp ing la fluid. pressure tank having a fluid outlet` aldi'aiiie pivotally supi'iorted .in the tank, au acidcontainer "carriedloy the iframe, a catch directly engaging and normally holding the f'ran'ie in horizontal position, and a trip controlled by the level of the fluid in the tank for releasing the catch to permit pivotal movement of the frame.

12. A fire extinguishing appara-tus coniprising a fluid pressure tank having a fluid outlet, a frame pivotally supported in the tank, an acid container carried by the frame, means normally holding the fra-me in horizontal position, means operated by variation in the level of' the fluid in the tank to release said holding means and permit precipitate initial movement of the frame, and means lfor retarding subsequent pivotal n'iovement of the iframe.

13. ilv lire extinguishing apparatus comprising a fluid pressure tank having a fluid outlet, a frame fixed 'Within the tank and having depending stirrups, a second frame having releasahle pivotal engagemnt with the first frame? an acid container carried hy the second frame, means normally holding the second `frame in position to maintaii'i the container upright, means controlled by variation in the level of the fluid in the tank to release the holding means and permit pivotal movement of the second frame, and studs carried by the second frame engaged with the stirrups respectively hy said pivotal movement to provide a connection between the 'frames Jfor further relative pivotal move ment therebetween.

14:. A lire extinguishing apparatus comprisinga liquid carrying pressure tank, chemical agent carried in the tank and adapted to he mixed with the liquid to prou duce a fire extinguishing material. a pipe system for conveyingthe fire extinguishing material, means automatically operated by y a decrease in the level of' the liquid in the tank to eii'ect discharge of the chemical agent into the liquid, and a siphon device connecting the'pipe system and the interior opening the pipe system to effect initial discharge from the tank,

15. Arfire extinguishing apparatus Com- Y Zprising a'liquid carrying pressure tank, a Vchemical agent carried 1n the tank and adapted to be mixed With the liquid to produce a fire `extinguishing material a pipe system for conveying the ire extinguishing material, means automatically operated by -a decrease in the llevel of the liquid in the tank to effect discharge of the chemical agent into the liquid, and an inverted U-shaped discharge pipe having one arm .extending into the tank and its other arm connected to the pipe system, said last named arm and pipe system having liquid normally stored therein Whose level in said last named arm corresponds substantially to the level of the liquid in the first named arm l and tankwhereby discharge of liquid from the pipe system will ell'ect an initial discharge from the tank.

16. A re extinguishing apparatus coinprising `a liquid carrying pressure tank having a reduced dome extension whereby a relatively small discharge of liquid iroin the tank Will produce a relatively large decrease in the level of the liquid in the dome extension, a chemical container mounted in the tank for movement to discharge position, and means controlled by a decrease in the level of the liquid in the extension incident to Withdrawal of liquid from the tank to effect movement of lthe container to discharge position.

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

LIONEL J. GOTTSCHALK.

Witnesses:

H. A. HIGGINS, J. E. BERNs. 

